The season is about to being and it’s time to make sure that your race bag is as ready to go as you are. Being prepared on race day will cut down on pre race stress and insure that you are not without one of the key items that could change what could be great day into a “woulda, coulda, shoulda” day.
Below is comprehensive list that I have added to over the years. You won’t won’t need ALL of it for every race, but if nothing else, maybe the list will remind you of some of the things you left off of your own list. Even the best riders forget things sometimes but having a list that you go over will help to insure that you don’t forge things often.
I have 2 race bags, a bigger one for multi-day events and single day races where I can’t decide what the weather is going to do. And a smaller bag for single day races where I know the weather will be good- for SURE. I also have a back pack foe when I ride to the start of a race (usually when out of town) and for local races that I ride too.
This list includes tools and food and casual wear as well BUT, like I said, you don;t have to take everything to every race.
The list:
RACE GEAR:
BIKE and RACE WHEELS – don’t be “that guy”
Short sleeve jersey (2-3 for stage race)
Long sleeve jersey (2 for stage race)
Undershirt (LS in the Spring, never hurts to have both, 3 for stage race)
Shorts (3 for stage race)
Extra pair of shorts (be a hero to your team mate who forgot ‘em)
Tights for warm up- seasonal
Wind vest
Wind jacket
Thermal jacket (for pre and poat race)
2 pairs cycling socks (4 for stage race)
Rain cape
Short finger AND long finger gloves
Optics- clear and dark lenses – RAIN X for clear lenses
Helmet
Cycling shoes – spare cleats
Wind shoe covers and/or booties for colder/rainy weather
2 plastic bags for wet/muddy clothes
1 bath towel and 1 washcloth for clean up
Start oil/embrocation
Chamois cream
Sun tan lotion
Lip balm with UV protection
Inhaler – if you have one and are supposed to be using it…….
I pod – for warm up
HR monitor/Strap/SRM or Powertap head unit
Pin bag- plastic baggie with extra safety pins
Sharpie pen – you never know
RACE NUMBERS
LICENSE
WALLET
FOOD for pre/post race including but not limited to:
Drink mix
Bars/gels
Gallon of water – JUST in case……
2-4 waterbottles
Post race sammy
Recovery drink mix- do NOT leave mixed in your car on a hot day!
Tools and Such – Don’t assume your teammates will have tools for you
2 tubes
1 extra tubular tire
Spare wheels?
Valve extender for deep dish rims and disks
Extra cassette- IF unsure of terrain include chain whip, wrench and cassette tool
Pump
Alan key set
Plastic bag with a few rags
Wind trainer – IF you have the room. More important for TT’s
Disk wheel adaptor
Zip ties
Pocket knife
RAIN BAG:
The rain bag is an essential item that should live in your race bag, that way you will never forget it. A rain bag should be around the size of a shoe bag and should go with you to every race, that way when the weather turns sour you are prepared. Below is a list of recommended items. Some of these items are from the list above but it’s worth having doubles.
Clear lens optics – Rain X
Thermal booties
Rain cape (clear pvc with and without sleeves – that’s the best case scenario)
Long finger gloves
Thermal skull cap
Cotton cycling cap
2 plastic grocery bags
Arm warmers
Leg warmers
Hot embrocation
PRE/POST RACE CASUAL WEAR:
Travel to the event in comfortable clothing that REPRESENTS YOUR SPONSORS. Limit chamois time when off of the bike. Leave yourself enough time to get kitted up at the event without having to rush. Spring racing will require that you often wear a coat in the am, keep yourself WARM, don’t assume that the weather at your house will be the same at the course!
Parka- waterproof if possible with hood
Flip flops and OR running shoes OR BOOTS if rainy conditions
Warm ups
Extra t- shirt – you might sweat through the pre race tee
Sweatshirt
Umbrella
Shorts- seasonable
Baseball cap and or Beanie
Extra socks
You want to be comfortable after your event so don’t travel home in the clammy chamois, change out into a pair of clean compression tights and start the recovery process right away. If it’s a rainy event, get out of your wet clothes asap. If you know you’re going to get wet, have your bag set up so that when you return to the car you can access the plastic bags and towel straight away and get a hat on your head right away to help keep the heat in. Maybe have a thermos of hot tea waiting, you’ll be the envy of your teammates!
Mix your recovery bottle as soon as you get back to the car (assuming you are not freezing cold and wet as stated above). If you are heading out for a cool down ride, take your recovery bottle with you and change into a dry jersey before you head back out and if the weather is cool (below 60) put on a light jacket and even a pair of leg warmers.
